Tool holder

ABSTRACT

A tool holder for holding a handled tool on a belt or other article of clothing of a wearer. The tool holder includes a cradle secured to a base, a mounting element, and a projection projecting from an interior surface of the base toward the wearer or object to hold the tool away from the wearer or object. The base may also include containment flanges below the cradle and/or opposite the mounting element. The containment flanges cooperate to limit or eliminate swaying of a tool held in the tool holder.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application 60/531,445, filed on Dec. 19, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tool holders, more particularly to tool holders that store a handled tool.

Many conventional devices enable a user to carry one or more tools on the person's body for easy access. These devices are usually suspended from a belt or another support structure secured to the user's body. An example of such a device is a tool belt hammer holder. A common tool belt hammer holder includes a strip of leather folded over upon itself to form a loop. The ends of the loop are stitched together to form a base. A metal, U-shaped cradle is riveted to the base at its bottommost portion. The head of hammer rests in the cradle, and the handle extends downwardly, through the cradle, along the leg of the user.

Although conventional tool holders enable a user to carry a desired tool in a readily accessible location, these devices suffer a number of shortcomings. For example, with regard to the above-described hammer holder, the handle of the hammer typically sways as the user walks or moves. Accordingly, the handle will bump against the wearer's leg, typically with each step. This can cause discomfort and in some cases injury to the wearer. Additionally, because the cradle typically is positioned at the lowermost portion of the stitched together ends of the leather strap, upon holstering the hammer, the user may lodge the handle into his or her side or leg, again causing discomfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned problems are overcome by a tool holder including a base, a mounting element, a cradle mounted to the base on a first side and a projection extending from the base on the side opposite the cradle so that the projection holds the base, and thus the tool, away from a person's body. In one embodiment, the base also optionally includes one or more flanges extending below the cradle to limit movement of a handle of a tool stored in the tool holder.

In another embodiment, the projection projects from the interior side of the tool holder toward the body of a user a distance that is at least two times greater than the thickness of the base. The projection may be aligned with, above, or below the cradle on the opposite side so that the projection maximizes the distance between the tool holder and the wearer.

In a second embodiment, the base of the tool holder extends a distance downward below the cradle and/or projection. In this embodiment, the base may be include a substantially rigid material that cooperates with the projection to better hold the tool away from the person's body.

In yet another embodiment, the base extends below the cradle and/or projection a first distance. The optional containment flanges are disposed on the forward and rearward portions of the base and project at an angle outwardly relative to the base. In a specific embodiment, the containment flanges are curved to help center the handle of the tool relative to the tool holder. In an even more specific embodiment, the curved flanges include a decreasing radius of curvature as the flanges transition away from the cradle.

The present tool holder provides significant comfort and ease of use. With the projection extending from the interior portion of the base, the stored tool is held away from the body of the wearer, thereby preventing the tool from bumping against the body and causing discomfort. The optional flanges of the tool holder also significantly limit or eliminate swaying of the tool in the tool holder, which in turn provides better balance for the wearer. Moreover, the base facilitates easy insertion of a tool into the cradle.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the invention and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool holder of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the tool holder;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the tool holder;

FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of the tool holder; and

FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view of the tool holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS

A tool holder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and generally designated 10. The tool holder generally includes a base 20, a cradle 30, a mounting element 40 and a projection 50. Optional containment flanges 52 and 54 are secured to the lower portion of the base below the cradle 30.

The tool holder 10 shown is designed as a hammer holder secured to a belt (not shown). It will be appreciated that the present invention is well suited to hold and carry a variety of other types of tools. Moreover, the tool holder as described herein as of a type that is secured to a belt worn around the waist of a user, however, it is well suited for other constructions and configurations.

More particularly, the base 20 as shown is of a generally planar construction, however, it may be contoured as desired to better conform to the tool and/or wearer's body. The base 20 may be formed from a variety of materials, for instance, it may be comprised of a section of flexible material, such as leather, or it may be plastic or metal. The base includes an interior side 22 and an exterior side 24. The interior side 22 faces the wearer or object, and the exterior side 24 faces away from the wearer or object. As shown, the lower portion of the base 26 may be of a length that is at least equal to or greater than the central portion 28 of the base 20. With this optional construction, the lower portion 26 of the base may prevent the handle of a tool inserted into the cradle 30 from gouging against the body of a wearer.

To the base 20, the cradle 30 is secured. As shown, the cradle 30 is a generally closed loop. This loop may be substituted with an open or partially open hook or other tool holding device that holds a portion of the tool. When holding a conventional hammer, the claw and head of a hammer rest on opposite sides of the cradle 30 and the handle projects downwardly generally parallel with the long axis of the base (FIG. 1). The cradle 30 may be secured to the base with conventional fasteners, for example, rivets, staples, screws and the like.

Joined with the base 20 is a mounting element 40, which can be configured to attach to a belt secured to the body of a wearer, for example, the waist of a wearer. The mounting element may be of a looped construction extending upwardly from the base 20 and then back down toward the base 20 to form a closed loop. Like the base 20, the mounting element may be comprised of a variety of different materials. The mounting element 40 may be comprised of a flexible material, such as leather, that extends from the base 20, or it may be comprised of another material such as plastic or metal. Alternatively, the mounting element 40 may be configured in the shape of a hook, or any other configuration, to secure the tool holder to the belt or otherwise the wearer. Further, the mounting element 40 may be of the type including corresponding male and female components, one of which secures to the belt, the other of which secures to the tool holder 10. Such a mounting element provides a quick detachment mechanism for the tool holder.

The base 20 includes a projection 50 that projects from the interior side 22 of the base 20 generally toward the user or object to which the tool holder 10 is secured. The projection 50 as shown is disposed on the interior side 22 at a location below the mounting element 40. The projection 50 may be of a solid or tubular cross section of any shape, for example, rectangular, triangular, circular, semi-circular, oval, semi-oval, elliptical, semi-elliptical, angled, hexagonal, trapezoidal, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the projection 50 includes a loop of flexible material that attaches to the base 20 with conventional fasteners such as rivets, screws, snaps, or the like. In this embodiment, a cushioning material 60, such as foam, rubber, or plastic can be positioned at least partially within the load to hold the loop at a distance from the base 20, and optionally to provide cushioning for the wearer. Generally, the projection 50 projects a substantial distance away from the base 20 that is, for example, at least about 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 20 or more times greater than the thickness of the base 20. The projection 50 acts to maintain the handle of the tool away from the user or object to which the tool holder 10 is secured.

In the embodiment shown, the lowermost portion of the projection 50 is separate from the cradle 30 and positioned a preselected distance above the portion of the cradle 30 that extends outwardly away from the base 20. This positioning places the projection 50 closer to the mounting portion 40 and therefore closer to the place where the tool holder 10 attaches to the belt. Such positioning can increase the angle between the tool holder 10 and the wearer to maximize the distance between the tool holder 10 and the wearer. Alternatively, the projection 50 may be positioned in other configurations, for example, the center or uppermost portion of the projection 50 may be aligned with the portion of the cradle 30, or even positioned below the cradle a preselected distance.

The projection 50 as shown extends across the entire width of the base 20. However, the projection 50 may be of varying widths and dimensions as desired. Additionally, the projection 50 as shown is in a relatively fixed position, however, it may be removably secured to the base with a conventional removable attachment system so that it may be varied in position.

The base may include a lower portion extending downwardly from the cradle 30. This downwardly extending portion 26 can extend from the base 20, be rigid, and rigidly joined with the projection 50 and/or remainder of the base 20 or mounting element 40. Accordingly, this lower portion can act in concert with the projection 50 to better hold the handle of a supported tool away from the body or object.

Further optionally, the lower portion 26 of the base includes containment flanges 52 and 54. The containment flanges 52 and 54 are disposed at an angle A with respect to the base. The angle may be about 0° to about 90°, about 20° to about 70°; about 30° to about 60°, about 40° to about 50° or about 30°, or any other suitable angle. The containment flanges 52 and 54 also may be of any shape, for example, circular, semi-circular, oval, semi-oval, elliptical, semi-elliptical, angled, rectangular, triangular-like shapes. As shown, the flanges are curved to include an increasing curvature as the flanges transition away from the cradle 30. The flanges may include any varying curvature in this regard. This optional configuration of the containment flanges provides surprisingly rapid centering of the tool handle relative to the base 20. Moreover, where the flanges are circular, semi-circular, oval, semi-oval, elliptical, semi-elliptical, or otherwise curved, especially at the portions of the flanges nearest the cradle 30, it has been observed that insertion into and removal of the tool from the tool holder, e.g., the cradle 30, is greatly improved.

The base 20, mounting element 40 and optional lower portion 26 with containment flanges 52 and 54 may be constructed of a variety of different materials. The individual components may be constructed of non-rigid materials, or may be substantially rigid. They may all be formed from a unitary and/or integral piece, or individual pieces joined with one another with conventional fasteners, for example, rivets, staples, hooks, etc. In general, the components of the tool holder 10 may be constructed of leather, metal, plastic, fabric and other materials as desired. The material from which the components of the tool holder can be coated with one or more of a variety of coatings, for example, rubber, plastic, vinyl or any other suitable materials.

In use, the mounting element 40 is secured to the belt or other device on a wearer. The handle of a tool, for example a hammer (shown in broken lines in FIG. 1), is inserted through the cradle 30. When included, the lower portion of the base 26 prevents this handle from gouging into the body of a wearer, by keeping the handle away from the body. The head of the tool rests on the cradle 30. The projection 50 rests against the wearer's body and/or clothing. The lower portion 26 of the base 20 also cooperates with the projection and remainder of the base to deflect the tool, for example, its handle, away from the body. When included, the flanges 52 and 54 also facilitate centering of the handle of the tool and reduce the swaying thereof.

The above descriptions are those of the current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any references to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. 

1. A tool holder for suspending a tool from a belt of a wearer, the tool including a handle, comprising: a base including a lower portion, a base interior facing toward the wearer and a base exterior facing away from the wearer; a mounting element joined with the base to secure the base to the belt; a cradle mounted to the base at a location to support the tool; a projection protruding from the base interior toward the wearer, the projection separate from said mounting element, said projection located substantially entirely above said cradle mount location, wherein said lower portion of the base extends downwardly below at least one of said projection and said cradle, said projection and lower portion cooperating to hold the handle of the tool away from the wearer a preselected distance, whereby the handle of the tool is prevented from striking the wearer as the wearer walks.
 2. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the base is substantially rigid and wherein the lower portion and the projection are in a rigid, substantially immovable configuration relative to one another so that the lower portion and projection cooperate to deflect the handle away from the wearer.
 3. The tool holder of claim 2 wherein the lower portion of the base includes at least one containment flange that extends outwardly at an angle from the lower portion.
 4. The tool holder of claim 3 wherein the containment flange includes a near portion near said cradle and a distal portion distal from said cradle, said containment flange being curved with a decreasing radius of curvature in transitioning from said near portion to said distal portion.
 5. The tool holder of claim 3 wherein the containment flange includes a free edge opposite a fixed edge, said fixed edge secured to the lower portion of the base and said free edge configured to include a varying curvature.
 6. A tool holder for suspending a tool from a belt of a wearer, the tool including a handle, comprising: a base including a thickness, a lower portion, an interior facing toward the wearer and an exterior facing away from the wearer; a mounting element joined with the base to secure the base to the belt; a cradle mounted to the base to support the tool; and a projection protruding from said base interior separate from said mounting element and separate from said cradle, said projection protruding a distance away from said base that is substantially greater than said thickness so that said projection maintains the handle of the tool a preselected distance away from the wearer, whereby the handle of the tool is prevented from striking the wearer as the wearer walks.
 7. The tool holder of claim 6 wherein said lower portion includes a containment flange extending outwardly from said lower portion.
 8. The tool holder of claim 6 wherein said projection is aligned with said cradle so that a portion of the tool supported by said cradle is above at least a portion of the projection.
 9. The tool holder of claim 6 wherein said projection is above said cradle to maximize the distance that the handle of the tool is held away from the wearer.
 10. The tool holder of claim 6 wherein said projection comprises a loop of flexible material attached to said base interior.
 11. The tool holder of claim 10 wherein a cushioning material is disposed at least partially in the loop.
 12. The tool holder of claim 6 wherein said base, said mounting portion, said projection, and said lower portion are comprised of leather, said cradle comprised of a rigid material attached to said base exterior, said lower portion including an interior and a rigid piece attached to said interior, said rigid piece including at least one outwardly extending containment flange and attached to said lower portion such that said lower portion curves outwardly to match the shape of the flange.
 13. A tool holder for suspending a tool from a belt of a wearer, the tool including a handle, comprising: a section of flexible material including a thickness, an interior facing toward the wearer, an exterior facing away from the wearer, a base, a mounting portion extending from said base and shaped to secure said material to the belt, and a lower portion extending from said base; a cradle mounted to said base for supporting a tool; and a projection extending from said interior of said flexible material, said projection comprising a loop of material that extends outwardly from said flexible material a distance that is at least twice said thickness of said material.
 14. The tool holder of claim 13 wherein said flexible material and said loop material are made of leather.
 15. The tool holder of claim 13 further including a rigid piece attached to the interior of said flexible material in said lower portion, said rigid piece including at least one outwardly extending containment flange, said flexible material attached to said rigid piece such that it extends over said rigid piece and is formed to the shape of said rigid piece.
 16. The tool holder of claim 13 wherein said projection is positioned to align with said cradle.
 17. The tool holder of claim 13 wherein said projection is positioned above said cradle.
 18. The tool holder of claim 13 wherein said containment flange includes a near portion near said cradle and a distal portion distal from said cradle, said containment flange being curved with a decreasing radius of curvature in transitioning from said near portion to said distal portion.
 19. The tool holder of claim 13 wherein said containment flange includes a free edge opposite a fixed edge, said fixed edge secured to the lower portion of the base and said free edge configured to include a varying curvature.
 20. The tool holder of claim 13 comprising a cushioning material disposed at least partially within said loop.
 21. The tool holder of claim 13 wherein said section of flexible material is plastic. 